Limitless

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Limitless

PG-13

Released Mar 18, 2011

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

201 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Morra is sure that he has no future. That all changes when an old friend gives him a drug that produces enhanced mental acuity. Stoked on the untested chemical, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and attracts the attention of a tycoon (Robert De Niro) who intends to use him to make a fortune. But terrible side-effects and a dwindling supply threaten to collapse Eddie's house of cards.

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Critics Consensus

Although its script is uneven, Neil Burger directs Limitless with plenty of visual panache, and Bradley Cooper makes for a charismatic star.

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

Every generation gets its Boiler Room.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 9, 2023

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Kimber Myers

The Playlist

Paradoxically absorbing, yet cliched and empty, this power-based New York story is a bit of an entertaining thrill ride, probably far more popcorn-engrossing than it deserves to be...

Rated: C+

Aug 15, 2013

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Philip French

Guardian

[An] ingenious, extremely violent thriller...

Mar 28, 2011

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Its science fiction premise about the enhanced drug has a gripping start, but it never breaks its limits and loses the dose of suspense when it frequents common places that, as a side effect, make it terribly dull. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

May 11, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Limitless is frustrating because there are plenty of compelling ideas at work here, but they’re dumbed down by a screenplay that isn’t capable of being as intelligent as its central character.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 31, 2023

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James Croot

The Post NZ

Although somewhat limited by the story and, noticeably, the budget, the boundless enthusiasm of its star stops any dullness setting in.

Feb 15, 2022

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Susan G

A really exciting movie with one flaw. If the main character was quadrupling his money every day in the stock market, why would he borrow $100,000 from a dangerous loan shark, when he could've had the same amount in two days without borrowing anything. His unlimited brain power should've told him NOT to borrow money when it'd only take him two days to make that much at his current pace. Other than that, loved it!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

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Drew M

Amazing premise and not so far fetched in 2025 great performances especially by Bradley cooper

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

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Alain E

A very entertaining fairy tale for adults. There are constant twists a turns that keep the viewer absorbed. It never gets boring or completely unrealistic, as long as we accept that there is a magic drug that supercharges the human intellect. Under its influence a failing fiction writer played by Mr Cooper completes his next book in four days which then becomes a huge success that catapults him to money and power. Soon he realizes that success on the Wall Street is much more rewarding than a potential Pulitzer. Next stop the Senate. Along the way he encounters bad guys in suits or not and he dispatches them successfully. Mr Cooper in the leading role has the advantage that he is a very likable guy. Mr De Niro less so, represents the financial establishment. The women are mostly decorative. Mr Trump’s name appears briefly on the ice skating rink that used to be his property. Of course, for his followers this is the main element that explains the movie’s success.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

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gwe t

All it takes is for you to be a fan of both Robert DeNiro and Brad Cooper to enjoy this crazy and whimsical movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/25

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Eric C

I looks like a souless "Flowers for Algernon". Nice try it missed the tension and sensitivity of Flowers.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

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Julian Rex M

Lazily written and unevenly directed, Limitless fails to take advantage of its skilled leads, instead settling for a mediocre action/drama crippled by a troubling lack of substance.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/25

Full Review

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Neil Burger

Director

Bradley Cooper

Eddie Morra

Robert De Niro

Carl Van Loon

Abbie Cornish

Lindy

Anna Friel

Melissa

Andrew Howard

Gennady

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Synopsis

Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Morra is sure that he has no future. That all changes when an old friend gives him a drug that produces enhanced mental acuity. Stoked on the untested chemical, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and attracts the attention of a tycoon (Robert De Niro) who intends to use him to make a fortune. But terrible side-effects and a dwindling supply threaten to collapse Eddie's house of cards.

Director: Neil Burger
Producer: Leslie Dixon, Scott Kroopf, Ryan Kavanaugh
Screenwriter: Leslie Dixon
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Many Rivers, Boy of the Year
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Disturbing Images|Sexuality|Thematic Material Invol Drugs|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $79.2M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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